Arsenal’s first signing of the summer is almost certain to be Charlton
fullback Carl Jenkinson, with Arsène Wenger also still hopeful of quickly
concluding a deal for Southampton winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Summer means business: Arsene Wenger is believed to have a spending pot of £50 million to improve his squad this summerPhoto: PA

The potential acquisition of two teenagers from the League One is unlikely to appease supporters wanting major investment in established names, but Wenger will also try and supplement the squad with more experienced signings.

Arsenal currently have around £50 million set aside for players investment and £1 million of that pot is already earmarked for Jenkinson, a player who began the season on loan at non-league Eastbourne.

Jenkinson has since broken into the Charlton first-team, where he has graduated through the club’s academy over the past decade. He has recently turned down the offer of a new contract at Charlton and will be signed by Arsenal as an understudy at right back to Bacary Sagna.

Arsenal would have been due to pay Charlton compensation for Jenkinson but it is understood that the two clubs will agree a fee of around £1 million.

Jenkinson is a former England Under-17 international, but has a Finnish mother and has also represented the Finland Under-19 team. Any deal for Oxlade-Chamberlain will be more complicated, with Southampton Chairman Nicola Cortese still hoping to keep the 17-year-old at Southampton for at least one more season.